Norton informed the world in my head, too. I occasionally come up with a particularly tidy bit of exposition that I have a tiny internal squee about, and then later realize I've merely canibalized and rewritten Norton. I read her at particularly impressionable periods, I think. And her world-building, language, and storytelling definitely still has an influence on me.
I include the usual pre-1985 qualifier, here. Or whenever it was that her stuff became "co-written." A writer friend mentioned that when she was a lowly copyeditor she actually essentially rewrote a Norton for publication. Probably the early to mid 80s.
The buzz that I'm hearing from writer-land is that both major publishers who currently publish trads (NAL/Signet and Kensington/Zebra) are considering discontinuing their lines unless sales pick up soon. So if you enjoy these books, do your bit for their survival and buy some new ones soon.
That's depressing. I haven't read any in a while, but I used to love Carla Kelly, Mary Balogh, and Mary Jo Putney.
That's depressing. I haven't read any in a while, but I used to love Carla Kelly, Mary Balogh, and Mary Jo Putney.
All three of them are still actively writing, but none of them are doing traditionals anymore. Carla Kelly was until very recently, but her next book will be through Harlequin Historicals, and MB and MJP have been writing single title Regency historicals (and in MJP's case the occasional contemporary) for quite awhile.
Heck, even Metzger is doing historicals now. I don't know of any of the cream of the crop traditional writers from my youth who haven't moved on.
Carla Kelly was until very recently, but her next book will be through Harlequin Historicals, and MB and MJP have been writing single title Regency historicals (and in MJP's case the occasional contemporary) for quite awhile.
It's good to know they'll still be published - especially Carla Kelly. I actually stopped reading them because most of the writers just didn't grab me anymore and it was too hard weeding through them to find someone good.
ETA: I'm surprised there's not more of a market for these, though. Especially in light of the interest in Jane Austen during the last 10 years.
ETA: I'm surprised there's not more of a market for these, though. Especially in light of the interest in Jane Austen during the last 10 years.
Me too. I think part of the problem is marketing/packaging. Also, I think the Regency historical has gotten so big it's crowded out the traditionals. I'm a little worried about my end of the market, too--I'm afraid the cash cow is getting a bit bloated and might become a victim of its own success. And while I could write about other eras, I really want to sell the wip. If I can't, and if I conclude it's because of market forces and not because I didn't write it well enough, I'd just be heartbroken. It's possible I've fallen a bit
too
deeply in love with my own creations.
Susan, what kind of story are you doing?
Basically, star-crossed love across class lines in the midst of the Peninsular War. Highborn cavalry officer's widow, niece of an earl and a great heiress, falls in love with a sergeant.
Basically, star-crossed love across class lines in the midst of the Peninsular War. Highborn cavalry officer's widow, niece of an earl and a great heiress, falls in love with a sergeant.
That sounds really good. It's cool that you're having actual problems like the war and class issues in it. So much more romantic.
the quality of the writing isn't up to scratch these days, especially in Kensington/Zebra.
I've been trying to read these. So many of them are throw-across the room worthy it's depressing. I think they'd have a market if the quality was better.
